Development of a non-invasive treatment system for urinary incontinence using a functional continuous magnetic stimulator (FCMS)

A system composed of a functional continuous magnetic stimulator (FCMS) and a saddle-type coil has been developed for non-invasive treatment of urinary incontinence, especially stress incontinence and urge incontinence. The FCMS conditions were as follows. 2kW maximum electrical power consumption, 800V maximum capacitor voltage, 720 mu s pulsewidth (180 mu s rise time), and 5-30Hz frequency. A frequency between 5 and 10Hz is used to treat urge incontinence and a frequency between 25Hz and 30Hz is used to treat stress incontinence, The coil (120mm long, 90mm wide and 50mm thick) fits the most suitable region for this treatment, the region from the anus to the perineum. The coil is cooled to maintain a coil temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C so that it can be used efficiently and safely. In experiments with anaesthetised dogs, it was confirmed that the urethral pressure increased when the circumference of the perineum received continuous magnetic stimulation of 720 mu s pulsewidth (180 mu s rise time), 10Hz frequency and about 520V capacitor voltage. This result suggests that magnetic stimulation can be effective as a urinary incontinence therapy.